Orlando

Jacob's parents and the Pozzi's were planning a trip to Orlando to visit the Bryant's. (Jacob's sisters and their families, I know it's a lot!) So when we found a great deal on flights we couldn't resist flying down and seeing everyone too!

Hanging out with Haley at Universal.

Harry Potter!! I was so excited to see it all!

I love Sophia!

It was amazing seeing all of our family that we normally only see once a year. It was a short trip, but so worth it.

Excuses, Excuses

I can't believe my last blog post was in November...well I kind of can. It has been a CRAZY few months for us. We closed on our house 2 days before Christmas, moved in, I got my real estate license and started a new job, I transferred to ODU and started what I hope will be the last step to get my degree, Emily came to visit, Jacob's mom came to visit, and we went to Orlando!

Like I said, crazy.

The first thing I put in my new house was a Christmas tree.

All I have so far are pictures of my empty kitchen on the day we moved in. Cherie did an amazing paint job on my downstairs bathroom and I will get pictures of the rest of the house asap. Sorry I am slacking on that!

I love it! Living in our very own house has made Virginia feel a lot more like "home". Hopefully we'll be closer to family someday, but for now I wouldn't trade our house for anything!

Step 1: Buy a House

Once we decided we were staying here for the long term. It was time to start house hunting. I was so happy my parents were here in the midst of this life altering decision making. Because let me tell you, buying a house is definitely exciting but for us Type A's it is equally as stressful. The idea of buying a house here was not appealing. (Hey, just because I am being a supportive wife it doesn't mean I had to be jumping up and down over houses that just weren't my style.) Then we went to Suffolk.

I think I fell in love out there in Suffolk.

Suffolk is the "country" of Hampton Roads. It has wide open spaces and is just now starting to get developed, which means everything is brand new. And, because it is just now gaining popularity you can get a lot more for your money.

Sold.

We got to buy a house that was new construction, so we got to pick everything that went in it! It's still under construction but I have a few pictures.

Meet our new house.

Putting our "sold" dot on the map.

4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2100 sq ft of happiness!

You can't see it underneath the cardboard, but the whole downstairs is hard wood!

Look at the amazing surroundings! You can't get that in the city =)

We are so excited about this next step, overwhelmed, but excited! Our closing date is set for December 22. Nothing like a new home for the holidays!

Big, Huge, Crazy News!

Let me start this post by saying this was unexpected, even for us. But it just goes to show that when you or your spouse is in the military you adjust your life to suit them. NOT the other way around.

Jacob and I fully expected to moving the heck out of this place in the summer of 2013. A mere year and a half from now.

Then we had "the talk" about our future.

I'll save you the frustration, tears (from me), and disbelief this conversation entailed and skip right to the good stuff.

Essentially, if Jacob is going to stay in the Navy (which he is) then he needs to be able to move up the ranks as quickly as possible. The work he needs to complete for these promotions is here. In Virginia. For the next 6ish years.

We've been living here for almost a year and a half now. And I will be the first to admit that I spent the majority of that time complaining.

I hated being so far away from family, and quite frankly, I just didn't like this place. It is crowded, the drivers are terrible, and it just isn't "home".

But, with this new information, it was time to put on my big girl panties, stop complaining, and grow up and support my husband.

And that is exactly what I intend to do.

So this is the official news bulletin. We are staying in Virginia. For quite a while.

Thanksgiving 2011

Our Thanksgiving this year was very low key. We basically spent the day cooking, watching football, and playing with Zoey. I hope one year soon we'll be able to spend Turkey Day with our family, but for now we just enjoyed spending some uninterrupted days together!

Please Don't Leave!!

On my parent's last day we took them and Zoey to the Fort Story Beach

After that Zoey did not want them to go home!

DC Weekend

While my parents were here we took a weekend trip up to Washington DC!

Mom and Jacob on the road!

WWII Memorial

Fall Colors

Dad's Version of "Occupying" DC

Williamsburg

After a week with my mom, my dad arrived! First stop, Williamsburg!